Electric switch using lead terminals as fixed contacts



Jan. 6, 1970 AUMAMS 3,488,460

ELECTRIC SWITCH USING LEAD TERMINALS AS FIXED CONTACTS Filed Dec. 13.1968 2 Sheets-Sheet l w J4 55 40 35 .10 40 j Ema. 6, 1970 a. BAUMANIS3,48%,460

ELECTRIC SWITCH USING LEAD TERMINALS AS FIXED CONTACTS Filed Dec. 13.1968 W2 Sheets-Shae:- 3

F 4 I -:1 .mz g' 6 4200 n I J gl 24.. I l 5- a s 215 Jrwrzo JMWZMMjyflwu, T541 United States Patent 3,488,460 ELECTRIC SWITCH USING LEADTERMINALS AS FIXED CONTACTS Bruno Baumanis, River Forest, 11]., assignorto Molex Products Company, Downers Grove, Ill., a corporation ofIllinois Filed Dec. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 786,175

Int. Cl. H01h /02 U.S. Cl. 200-46 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThe invention relates to a switch and a method of assembling the switch.More specifically, this invention relates to a switch having movablecontact means engageable with fixed contacts formed by terminals whichare first connected to electrical leads and then mounted in the switchstructure.

Electrical equipment is being built in relatively compact units. Thiscompact electrical equipment requires relatively small electricalswitches which must be connected to other components of the equipment.The relatively small size of these electrical switches makes themdiflicult to wire or connect. The difliculty is greatly increased whenthe small switches are mounted in a comparatively inaccessible portionof the electrical equipment. Of course, these wiring difiicultiessubstantially increase production time and cost of fabricating theelectrical equipment.

Once the compact electrical equipment has been wired and assembled, itis extremely important that the switches have a trouble-free servicelife. The replacement of a small switch which is mounted in a relativelyinaccessible location and connected to a plurality of leads is extremelydiflicult. Thus, the small electrical switches should not only berelatively easy to connect, but should also have relatively few movingparts which are rugged and not subject to failure during use.

Most electrical switches are connected to lead wires by soldering,screwing or staking a wire to each terminal that is external to theswitch. All these methods of attaching the wire to the switch are timeconsuming and require considerable space.

This invention relates to a novel means and method of reducing the laborto attach the wire, and of reducing the space required for theconnection.

For many years electrical connectors have been made by crimping the leadto the contact pins by automatic machines, such pins for example beingshown in John H. Krehbiel U.S. Patent 3,178,673. These terminals areusually supplied in chain link form to allow easy handling of theterminal until it is crimped (connected) to the wire. At this point eachterminal is cut loose from the chain link.

In accordance with the present invention, a terminal or pin is crimpedor otherwise attached directly to the wire lead. This terminal or pinthen is snapped into the switch housing and becomes a fixed switchcontact.

The internal operation of a switch is an old art and the presentillustrative example is a preferred example only. Most switches, atleast of the type considered in this disclosure, consist of two or morestationary contacts and a shorting bar that is actuated externally. Thismay be a rotary shaft, rocker or slide switch, or a push switch.

The switch consists of an actuator in the form of a knob, handle orbutton; a housing to house the switch components such as the actuator,the shorting bar; and a cavity to accept the switch leg terminals orpins.

The terminals or pins are formed sheet metal parts each of whichconsists of a crimping section or sections to clinch the wires and asection to clinch the wire insulation. In addition, locking device locksthe terminal into the housing, and a contact section comprises the areaor point of contact for the switch. This contact area may be made frombrass that has an inlaid area of silver as the contact area for bettercontact. In some cases it may be more desirable to add a silver buttonby welding in the contact area. The silver button preferably is added bycompletely automatic means if the contacts are still in chain link form.A non-functional area in each terminal is used to attach one terminal tothe next terminal to carry the terminals in chain link form for easyhandling while manufacturing, storing and for carrying the terminalsinto the machine for attachment of the terminals to the wire leads. Thisnon-functional area is cut off in the crimping operation.

Therefore, a general object of the present invention is to provide animproved switch structure which overcomes the aforementioned limitationof prior art construction. Specifically, it is an object of thisinvention to provide an inexpensive, easily wired or connected switchstructure which is compact and has a relatively long service life.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch structure whichutilizes terminals connected to leads as fixed contacts within theswitch structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch structure whichis easily wired by merely inserting terminals mounted on the ends of theleads or wires into the switch structure so that the terminals form thefixed contacts of the switch structure.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become moreapparent upon a consideration of the following detailed descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a switch assembly forming apreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the switch assembly of FIG. 1illustrating the switch assembly in the open position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the switch assembly of FIG. 1illustrating the switch assembly in a closed position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the line 4-4 of FIG.3, illustrating the mounting of terminals 0n wires as fixed contacts inthe switch assembly;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view, similar to FIG. 4, illustrating asecond embodiment of the invention wherein terminals connected to wiresare mounted as fixed contacts in a cover section of the switch assembly;and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of an actuator used with theswitch assemblies of FIGS. 1 through 5.

A switch assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 1 and includes a casing orcontainer 12 having a base or frame section 14 and a cover plate orclosure section 16. A plurality of substantially identical switch units20 are mounted in a series of cavities or chambers 22 formed within thecasing 12. Each switch unit 20 includes a pair of spacedapart,substantially parallel, fixed contacts or terminals 24 and a movablecontact or connector assembly 26 which is connected to a longitudinallyextending centrally mounted actuator bar 30.

The actuator bar 30 is movable longitudinally relative to the switchassembly 12 to move the movable contacts 26 of each switch unit 20 froman open position illustrated in FIG. 2 to a closed position illustratedin FIG. 3. When the actuator bar 30 is moved inwardly from the openposition shown in FIG. 2, by engaging a knob or projection 32 on thebar, to the closed position shown in FIG. 3, the movable contacts 26engage the fixed contacts 24 to complete an electrical circuit betweenthe two spaced-apart fixed cotnacts of each switch unit 20.

It should be noted that the actuator bar 30 extends longitudinally forsubstantially the entire length of the switch assembly 12 tointerconnect a series of the switch units so that the switch units 20are contemporaneously actuated from the open position to the closedposition. It is contemplated that a latch assembly of the push-releasetype will be used to hold the actuator bar in the position shown in FIG.3, once the bar has been pressed inwardly from the position shown inFIG. 2. The latch assembly is released by merely pressing inwardly 0nthe knob 32. Since the latch assembly does not, per se, constitute apart of the present invention, and since there are many such latchassemblies known to those skilled in the art, it is believed that afurther discussion and showing of the latch assembly is not required atthis time.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the movable contacts 26 include a pair offlanges or mounting ears 36 which are fixedly mounted in slots orgrooves 38 on opposite sides of the base section 14. The mounting earsor flanges 36 extend in a perpendicular relationship with a central axis40 both the actuator bar 30 and the switch assembly 12. A pair ofgenerally U-shaped contact sections 42 and 44 are connected to themounting flanges 36, and are positioned on opposite sides of themounting bar 30 intermediate the fixed contacts or terminals 24. Thegenerally U-shaped contact sections extend rearwardly in the cavity 22.The U-shaped contact sections 42 and 44 have central axes 46 and 48which are parallel to the central axis 40 of the actuator bar 30 andperpendicular to the mounting ears 36, when the movable contacts 26 arein the open position shown in FIG. 2. The U-shaped contact sections 42and 44 are interconnected by a central connector or cross-sectional 50which extends parallel to the mounting ears 36 and perpendicular to thecentral axis 40 of the actuator bar 30.

The U-shaped contact sections 42 and 44 include outer legs 54 and 56which are connected to the mounting flanges 36. A pair of inner legs 58and 60 are connected to the connector section 50. The inner and outerlegs 54 and 58 of the U-shaped contact section 42 are interconnected byan arcuate end portion or section 64. Similarly the inner and outer legs56 and 60 of the U-shaped contact section 44 are interconnected by anarcuate end section 66. The legs 54 through 60 extend in a substantiallyparallel relationship with the central axis 40 of the actuator bar 30,and in a substantially perpendicular relationship with both the mountingears 36 and connector section 50 when the movable contacts are in theopen position shown in FIG. 2.

When the switch assembly 12 is moved from the open position of FIG. 2 tothe closed position of FIG. 3, the actuator bar 30 pivots the U-shapedcontact sections 42 and 44 of the movable contacts 26 outwardly from theopen position shown in FIG. 2 to the closed position shown in FIG. 3, sothat the outer leg sections 54 and 56 engage the fixed contacts 24. Anelectrical circuit is then completed between the fixed contacts orterminals 24 through the arcuate end sections 64 and 66, the inner legsections 58 and 60 and the connector section 50 to conduct electricalenergy between the fixed contacts. The movable contacts 26 areadvantageously integrally fabricated of a resilient Phosphor bronzemetal which has both good spring characteristics and good electricalconductivity.

When the actuator 30 is moved longitudinally rearwardly from theposition shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3, the legsection 54 is pivoted at the intersection between the mounting ear 36and the leg section. That is, the leg section 54 is pivoted outwardlyfrom the perpendicular relationship of FIG. 2 with the mounting flange36 to an actuate angular relationshi of Cit FIG. 3 with the mountingflange 36. The leg section 56 is similarly pivoted outwardly into anacute angular relationship with the associated mounting flange 36 whenthe switch unit 20 is actuated from the open position to the closedposition. This longitudinal movement of the actuator bar 30 also pivotsthe leg section 58 outwardly from the perpendicular relationship withthe connector section 50 (see FIG. 2) to an obtuse angular relationshipwith the connector section 50 (see FIG. 3). Of course, the leg section60 is similarly pivoted outwardly from a perpendicular relationship withthe connector section 50 to an obtuse angular relationship with theconnector section 50. When the leg sections 54 through 60 have beenpivoted outwardly to the closed position, the longitudinal central axes46 and 48 of the contact sections 42 and 44 are moved from a parallelrelationship with the central axis 40 of the actuator bar 30 and theswitch assembly 12 to an acute angular relationship with the centralaxis 40. It should be noted that the inner leg sections 58 and 60 areshorter in length to reduce any tendency which the inner leg sectionsmay have to buckle or bend when the actuator bar 30 is moved rearwardly.

The pivoting movement of the generally U-shapcd contact sections 42 and44 from the open position to the closed position is obtained by movingthe connector section 50 rearwardly relative to the mounting ear 36while maintaining a substantially parallel relationship between theconnector section 50 and the mounting ears or flanges 36. As theconnector section 50 is moved rearwardly, the U-shaped contact sections42 and 44 are resiliently pivoted about the ends of the leg sections 54through 60 relative to the associated mounting flanges 36 and theconnector section 50. Since the leg sections 54 through 60 are in aperpendicular relationship with the mounting flanges 36 and 50 when themovable contacts 26 are in an open position, the rearward movement ofthe actuator bar 30 tends to pivot the leg sections outwardly abouttheir connection point with the connector section 50 and the mountingears 36 as the contacts are moved to the open position shown in FIG. 3.Of course, there is a slight forward deflection of the outer ends of themounting flanges 36 and connector section 50 during the pivoting of thecontact sections 42 and 44. If the intersection between the outer legsections 54 and 56 and the mounting flanges 36 was arcuate or rounded,the leg sections 54 and 56 would tend to deflect or bend at the roundedcorners and would not pivot from the open position to the closedposition. Similarly, if the intersection between the inner leg sections58 and 60 and the connector section 50 was rounded, the inner legsections 58 and 60 would tend to deflect or bend at the roundedconnection between the leg sections 58 and 60 rather than pivotingoutwardly when the connector bar 30 is moved rearwardly. Therefore, auniform outwardly pivoting movement of the generally U-shaped contactsections 42 and 44 is obtained by connecting the contact sections in aperpendicular relationship with the mounting flanges 36 and connectorsection 50, and moving the connector section 50 relative to the mountingflanges while maintaining a substantially parallel relationship betweenthe connector section 50 and the mounting flanges 36.

When the movable contacts 26 are in the closed position, the legsections 54 through 60 tend to resiliently spring back to their normalposition, that is into a perpendicular relationship with the mountingflanges 36 and the connector section 50, as shown in FIG. 2. Thisresilient spring tendency of the movable contacts 26 tends to urge orbias the actuator bar 30 forwardly from the closed position to the openposition. The forward biasing action of each movable contact 26 of theseries of switch units 20 is cumulative and tends to strongly urge theactuator bar 30 to the initial position shown in FIG. 2. Of course, themovable contacts 26 could, if desired, be formed as shown in FIG. 3 sothat they would bias the actuator bar rearwardly to hold the switchassembly in a closed position. The knob or projection 32 would then bepulled forwardly from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shownin FIG. 2 against the biasing action of the movable contacts 26. Ifdesired, the movable contacts 26 could be formed of a plurality ofhingedly connected sections, rather than being integrally formed from asingle strip of Phosphor bronze, so that the contact sections 42 and 44would easily pivot from the open position to the closed position. Ofcourse, the hinged movable contacts 26 would exert relatively littlespring force or bias on the actuator bar 30.

As is perhaps best seen in FIG. 4, the switch assembly can be readilymounted on the frame 70 of any desired device or apparatus by suitableconnector means, such as the screws 72 which extend through the coversection 16 into the base section 14 of the casing 12. When the casing 12is so mounted, the movable contacts 26 are securely supported by thedevice or apparatus in which the switch assembly 10 is mounted. It iscontemplated that the terminals 24 will be connected to leads 76 and 78and connected to the casing 12 after the casing has been mounted asshown in FIG. 4. The terminals 24 are connected to the casing by pushingor inserting them into a bore or aperture 80 in the base section 14 ofthe casing. It should be noted that the casing 12 is mounted in theelectrical device or apparatus and the terminals 24 are then insertedinto the bores or apertures 80.

When the switch assembly is mounted in this manner, the wire 76 and 78can be connected to the terminals 24 with relative ease by a machine orworker before the terminals are connected to the casing. Once the casing10 has been mounted, the terminals 24 can be readily inserted into thebores 80 even if the switch assembly is located in a relativelyinaccessible or restricted space. In this manner the necessity ofconnecting the wires 76 and 78 to closely spaced terminals 24 in thefrequently inaccessible areas of a compact electrical apparatus iseliminated.

The advantages of this method of connecting the leads 76 and 78 to theswitch assembly 10' becomes quite apparent when the size of a preferredembodiment of the switch assembly is considered. In the preferredembodiment of the switch assembly 12, the switch assembly has a width ortransverse dimension of approximately eighttenths of an inch. Of course,the preferred switch assembly has a length which is a function of thenumber of switch units which are connected in a longitudinally extendingseries. Each switch unit 20 has a longitudinal dimension ofapproximately six-tenths of an inch. The preferred switch assembly has adepth or thickness slightly more than three-tenths of an inch. Theaforementioned dimensions are to be considered as being illustrativeonly, and are not meant to be limiting, since the dimensions of theswitch assembly 10 can obviously be varied. However, the aforementioneddimensions do indicate the difficulties which would be encountered inconnecting the leads 76 and 78 to conventional fixed terminals orcontacts in a relatively confined area.

The fixed terminals 24 include a body section 84 having a plurality ofradially and axially outwardly extending resilient spring fingers 86which engage a radially inwardly projecting surface 88 of the bore 80 toprevent the inserted terminals 24 from being inadvertently pulled out ofthe bore 80. A plurality of wing flanges 90 extend outwardly from an endportion or section 92 of the terminal 24 for engagement with an outerbottom or base surface 94 of the base section 14 to prevent the terminal84 from being inadvertently pushed further into the casing 12. Althoughthe terminals 24 can take many different shapes and forms, it iscontemplated that the ter minals will be shaped similar to thosedisclosed in US. Patent 3,178,673.

The terminals 24 project through apertures 98 in the cover section 16 toenable outer upper end portions of the terminals to be engaged by asuitable connector 100.

The connector is fastened to a lead 102 so that electrical energy can beconducted from the terminal 24, through the connector 100 and the lead102 to electrical circuitry connected to the lead 102. Of course, ifdesired, the end portions of the terminals 24 can be encased within thecover 16 to insulate the terminals.

In order to enhance the understanding of the invention, a secondembodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5. In this secondembodiment of the invention like numerals have been used to designatelike parts with the suifix letter a being employed to distinguish theelements associated with FIG. 5 from those of FIGS. 1 to 4. In theembodiment of FIG. 5, a male type terminal 24a is mounted in the leftbore 80a in much the same manner as are the terminals 24 mounted in thebore of FIG. 4. However, in the embodiment of the invention shown inFIG. 5, a female type terminal is mounted in the right hand bore 8011.It is contemplated that the female type terminal 110 will have a shapeand structure similar to that disclosed in the aforementioned US. PatentNo. 3,178,673 for mating engagement with a male type terminal 112 whichis mounted in a bore 114 in the cover section 16a. The mating engagementbetween the terminals 110 and 112 electrically interconnects the leads78a and 102a. The bore 114 has a shape which is substantially the sameas the shape of bores 80a. Thus, the male type terminal 112 could, ifdesired, be mounted in the bore 80a in the base section 14a, and thefemale type terminal 110 could be mounted in the bore 114 in the coversection 16a.

A cap or plug 116 is mounted in the outer portion of a bore 118 which ispositioned in vertical alignment with the bore 80a for the terminal 24a.The plug 116 closes or blocks bore 118 to prevent foreign objects fromcoming into contact with the terminal 24a. Of course the plug 116 can beremoved at any time and a female type terminal, similar to the terminal110, can be inserted into the bore 118 and into mating engagement withthe terminal 24a.

When the switch assembly 10a is actuated to the closed position, theterminal or fixed contact 24a is electrically interconnected with thetwo terminals or fixed contacts 110 and 112 by the movable contact 26ain much the same manner as previously described. Since the two leads 78aand 102a are interconnected by the terminals 110 and 112; when theswitch 10a is closed, the leads 76a, 78a and 102a are electricallyinterconnected. It is apparent that this arrangement of opposing,substantially identically aligned bores in the base section 14a andcover section 16a of the switch assembly 10a greatly increases theversatility of the switch assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the actuator bar or slide 30 includes atransversely extending slit or groove 124 which gauges the connectorsection 50 of the movable contact 26. The slot 124 extends only part waythrough the actuator bar 30 so that the movable contact 26 is heldslightly above the surface of the base section 14 as the contacts aremoved from the open position to the closed position, and back again (seeFIG. 4). The actuator bar 30 also includes a longitudinally extendingnotch or recess 128. The notch or recess 128 engages a wall section 130(see FIGS. 2 and 3) to limit the movement of the actuator bar relativeto the casing 12. A rearward surface 132 of the notch 128 engages thewall section 130 when the switch is in the open position shown in FIG.2. A forward surface 134 of the notch 128 is positioned adjacent to theforward surface of the wall section 130 when the actuator bar 30 islocated as shown in FIG. 3 to limit the rearward movement of theactuator bar. It should be noted that the actuator bar 30 can be movedfor a slight distance rearwardly from the closed position of FIG. 3.This slight range of movement enables a push-type latch to be released.Thus, the notch 128 serves to limit the motion of the actuator bar 30relative to the fixed terminals or contacts 24. Of

course, the size of the notch can be changed to alter the limits on themovement of the bar 30.

For purposes of afiording a more complete understanding of theinvention, it is advantageous now to provide a functional description ofthe mode in which the component parts cooperate. The casing 12 of theswitch assembly will be mounted on the frame 70 as shown in FIG. 4.After the switch assembly has been mounted on the frame 70, the fixedcontacts or terminals 24, which had previously been connected tosuitable leads 76 and 78, will be inserted into the bores 80 in the basesection 14 of the switch assembly. The fixed contacts 24 can then beelectrically interconnected by the movable contacts 26 by merelypressing against the knob 32 which will move the actuator bar 30 and themovable contacts 26 from the open position of FIG. 2 to the closedposition of FIG. 3.

As the actuator bar 30 is being slid rearwardly relative to the basesection 14 of the switch assembly 10, the U-shaped contact sections 42and 44 of the movable contacts 26 will resiliently pivot outwardly intoengagement with the fixed contacts 24. This outward pivoting movementwill result from a movement of the connector section 50 rearwardlyrelative to the mounting flanges 36 while the connector section 50 ismaintained in a substantially parallel relationship with the mountingflanges 36. The rearward movement of the connector section 50 will pivotthe leg sections 58 and 60 outwardly relative to the actuator bar 30while the connector section 50 is being moved rearwardly.contemporaneously with this outward movement of the leg sections 58 and60, the leg sections 54 and 56 will also be pivoted outwardly relativeto the connector section 50 so that the leg sections 54 and 56 arebrought into abutting engagement with the fixed contacts or terminals 24to complete an electrical connection between the terminals. When theactuator bar 30 is released, the movable contacts 26 will resilientlyurge the actuator bar forwardly to the position shown in FIG. 2, to openthe circuit between the fixed contacts 24.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the contact sections 42and 44 have arcuate end sections 64 and 66. It is contemplated that theradius of the end sections 64 and 66 can be substantially reduced togive the contact sections 42 and 44 an appearance similar to a V. Thus,the germ general U-shaped contact sections is not to be considered asbeing strictly limited to the shape shown, but is to be given a ratherbroad interpretation to include the somewhat V-shaped form which wouldresult if the radius of the arcuate end portions 64 and 66 was reduced.It is contemplaetd that an actuator bar of a different type from the oneshown could be used with the movable contacts 26. Also, the shape of thefixed terminals 24 could be varied. For example, the resilient springfingers 86 could be eliminated so that the terminals could, if desired,be withdrawn from the bores 80. Therefore, while particular embodimentsof the invention have been shown, it should be understood that theinvention is not limited thereto, since many modifications may be made;and it is contemplated to cover by the appended claims any suchmodifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly comprising: a base means adapted to position terminalends of a plurality of wires relative to a cavity formed in said basemeans; resilient spring means having first and second outer end portionsfixedly connected to said base means, said spring means including firstand second spaced apart generally U-shaped sections; and an actuatormeans connected to said first and second sections, said actuator meansbeing movable relative to said base means to move said first and secondgenerally U-shaped sections relative to each other and said base meansfrom a first position in which said first and second generally U-shapedsections are spaced apart from the terminal ends of the wires to asecond position in which said first and second generally U-shapedsections are in engagement with the terminal ends of the wires toprovide an electrical connection between the terminal ends of the wires,said actuator means being urged from the second position to the firstposition by said spring means to open the electrical connection betweenthe terminal ends of the wires.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said first and secondgenerally U-shaped sections have longitudinal axes which aresubstantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said actuator meanswhen said first and second generally U-shaped sections are in the firstposition, the longitudinal axes of said first and second generallyU-shaped sections being positioned at an acute angle relative to eachother and the longitudinal axis of said actuator means when said firstand second generally U-shaped sections are in the second position.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein: said first and secondgenerally U-shaped sections are interconnected by a connector sectionextending between inner legs of said first and second generaly U-shapedsections, said connector section extending substantially perpendicularto the longitudinal axis of said actuator means when said first andsecond generally U-shaped sections are in the first and secondpositions.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein: said connector sectionalso extends in a substantially parallel relationship with said firstand second outer end portions of said spring means.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said first and secondgenerally U-shaped sections are interconnected by a connector sectionwhich extends transversely to both said first and second generallyU-shaped sections and said actuator means, said connector section beingmoved toward the terminal end of the wires by said actuator toresiliently pivot said first and second generally U-shaped sectionsoutwardly relative to said connector section when said actuator is movedto move said first and second generally U-shaped sections from the firstposition to the second position.

6. A switch assembly comprising a housing, movable contact means movablymounted in said housing, actuator means extending from said housing andconnected to said movable contact means for moving thereof, a terminalmechanically pre-fixed to a wire, and aperture means in said housing inwhich said terminal is inserted in position for selective engagement bysaid movable contact means.

7. An assembly comprising: a casing; a plurality of switch units mountedin said casing, each of said switch units including a plurality of fixedcontacts connected to electrical circuitry; a movable contact means forelectrically interconnecting said fixed contacts, said movable contactmeans including a spring member having outer end portions fixedlymounted relative to said casing, and a plurality of contact sectionsinterconnected by a connector section; and actuator means connected tothe connector sections of the movable contacts of each of said pluralityof switch units, said actuator means being movable relative to saidcasing to resiliently and contemporaneously pivot the contact sectionsof said movable contacts of each switch unit from an open positionspaced apart from said fixed contacts to a closed position in abuttingengagement with said fixed contacts.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein: at least one of saidplurality of switch units has a fixed contact including a first terminalconnected to a first wire and a second terminal mounted in matingengagement with said first terminal and connected to a second wire.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein: said casing includes acover section and a base section, said first terminal being mounted onthe base section of the casing and said second terminal being mounted onthe cover section of the casing.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said casing includes acover section and a base section with said movable contact means beingconnected to said base section, said base section including a firstgroup of apertures adapted for mounting said fixed contacts, said coversection including a second group of apertures in alignment with saidfirst group of apertures, said second group of apertures also beingadapted for mounting said fixed contacts to enable said fixed contactsto be selectively mounted in both said base section and said coversection for engagement by said movable contact means.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said casing includes aplurality of aperture means in which said fixed contacts are mounted,said fixed contacts including projecting spring fingers for engaging aninwardly projecting portion of said aperture means to retain said fixedcontacts against outward movement relative to said casing.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim '7 wherein: the movable contactmeans of each of said switch units resiliently urges said actuator tomove the movable contact means to the open position.

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said contact sectionsinclude an outer leg extending in a perpendicular relationship to theouter end portion of the spring member when said movable contact meansis in the open position and an inner leg extending in a perpendicularrelationship to the connector section when said movable contact means isin the open position, said outer leg extending at an acute angle to theouter end portion of the spring member when said movable contact meansis in the closed position and said inner leg extending at an obtuseangle to the connector section when said movable contact means is in theclosed position.

14. A switch assembly including: an elongated base section; an actuatorextending along a central axis of said base section; a first fixedcontact mounted on said base section on a first side of said actuator; asecond fixed contact mounted on said base section on a second side ofsaid actuator; and a movable contact means connected to said actuatorfor movement from an open position to a closed position in which saidfirst and second fixed contacts are electrically interconnected, saidmovable contact means including a first mounting flange connected tosaid base section on the first side of said actuator and extendingsubstantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of said actuator, asecond mounting flange connected to said base section on the second sideof said actuator and extending substantially perpendicularly to thelongitudinal axis of said actuator, a first generally U-shaped contactsection positioned intermediate said first fixed contact and saidactuator, said first generally U-shaped contact section having an outerleg portion connected to said first mounting flange and extendingsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said actuator whensaid movable contact means is in the open position, a

second generally U-shaped contact section positioned intermediate saidsecond fixed contact and said actuator, said second generally U-shapedcontact section having an outer leg portion connected to said secondmounting flange and extending substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis of said actuator when said movable contact means is in the openposition, and a central connector section extending substantiallyperpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said actuator andinterconnecting said first and second generally U-shaped contactsections, said first generally U-shaped contact section having an innerleg portion connected to a first end of said connector section andextending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of saidactuator when said movable contact means is in the open position, saidsecond generally U-shaped contact section having an inner leg portionconnected to a second end of said connector section and extendingsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said actuator whensaid movable contact means is in the open position, the inner and outerleg portions of said first generally U-shaped contact section beingpositioned at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of said actuatorwhen said movable contact means is in the closed position, the inner andouter leg portions of said second generally U-shaped contact sectionbeing positioned at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of saidactuator when said movable contact means is in the closed position.

15. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein: said movablecontact means biases said actuator against movement relative to saidfirst and second fixed contacts.

16. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 14 further including: anelongated cover section positioned in engagement with said base section,a third fixed contact being mounted in said cover section for matingengagement with said first fixed contact to electrically interconnectcircuitry connected to said first fixed contact and said third fixedcontact.

17. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein: said first andsecond mounting flanges, said first and second generally U-shapedcontact sections, and said connector section are all integrally formedby a continuous strip of metal.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,261,928 7/1966 Schlesinger200-16 XR 3,270,148 8/1966 Oxley. 3,301,987 1/1967 Davis.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner J. R. SCOTT, Assistant Examiner US.Cl. X.R. 200-159, 166

